Have you been toying with the idea of starting your own business but you aren’t sure if you’re ready? That’s understandable. Starting a business is both thrilling and intimidating. For every amazing ‘pro’ there is the possibility of a terrifying ‘con’. Despite the risks, more and more people are beginning to explore the idea of entrepreneurship. If you’re one of those people, the following step-by-step checklist is meant to motivate, inspire, and prepare you in your quest to be your own boss.  

1. Find What Makes You Happy

All too often we end up settling for a job that simply ‘doesn’t suck’ rather than spending our days doing what we actually enjoy and are good at. That’s not to say you can quit your job today and go start an immediately successful new business if your favorite thing to do is say…spend the day reading in your warm cozy bed,  wearing comfy pants, snacking, and drinking coffee. However, all hope is not lost. When you’re self-employed you can drink your coffee wearing whatever the hell you want to and maybe never leave the bed again! Just kidding, don’t do that.  The point is, figure out what you are good at and what makes your soul happy and start there.

2. Embrace Your Wonderfully Absurd Idea

The very idea of starting your own business may sound absurd but don’t let that cloud your creativity. If ever there was a time for ‘quirky’ and ‘odd’ business ideas, today is the day. If your passion is hand-knitting cat themed chair socks or creating disgustingly realistic, yet impressive plastic cat poo sculptures, do your thing! As we say in our family, ‘embrace the weird!’. Just do what you do best and find what differentiates you from the crowd (even if it has nothing at all to do with cats).

3. Do your research

Take a look at your competition and others in your industry, as well as those in other industries. Learn from what they are doing well and where there is room for improvement. Do your research and check out what everyone else is doing. Then, and this is important, be different and do what nobody else has done.

4. Set goals

Goal setting is a must. It cannot and should not be skipped. Decide on your short-term and long-term goals, write them down, and refer to them regularly. When you achieve a goal, check it off your list and celebrate – you deserve it!

5. Make a plan

In this case, your “one great decisive aim” will be your goals and you will pursue your goals with ‘force and determination’ through a well-orchestrated plan. Every step in your plan should point directly back to at least one of your goals. Your business plan, marketing and content strategies, even your daily to do list should all be planned with your short and long-term goals in mind.

6. Have a backup plan

Plan B. Always have a plan B.

7. Get organized

You will likely be wearing many different hats from business owner to operations manager, marketer, blogger, sales associate, and so on. Getting organized and determining how you will manage each area of your business from the start will help you stay on top of everything and make it happen.

8. Never give up

This last quote is my favorite and, I think, most important. It comes from my dad who passed away in 2014 after a long battle with cancer. These were some of the last words he shared and I’ll carry them with me always as motivation to just keep going – no matter what. 

Change can be scary. Success in business does not come easy. You probably don’t have a bank account full of cash or all the time in the world on your hands. You may already have a full time job or family, or both. You’re probably going to work harder than you’ve ever worked before but if you’re truly passionate and determined, the payoff will be worth it. Roll with the punches, ride with the tide, and just stick with it.

One last reminder:

Now you’re ready to start your business! Well, maybe not 100% ready but you at least have a good start. You may find yourself stuck on step 1. That’s okay. Take your time and explore the possibilities. That’s half the fun. Maybe you know what you want to do. You have an absurd idea that you’re passionate about, you have a well-organized plan in line with your goals and you’re fired-up and ready to move forward with your new business. 

Not sure what to do now? We can help! 

We can work with you to discuss the best next steps toward making your dreams of spending your days in comfy pants a reality! Or, you know…whatever your particular dreams are. No judgement here.

Click on the image below to find out more!